Oxford is a wonderfully traditional town, known throughout the world for its famous University. It is no surprise, therefore, to find numerous chic and specialist shops up and down the High Street that draw academics, shopoholics and the young alike. Just off the High Street is the modern undercover shopping centre at Westgate. The Templars Square arcade of 70 shops is further out of town.
The city's academic pedigree goes back over 800 years but people have lived in the town of Oxford since the 9th Century. The exact origins of the university are uncertain but could go back to the reign of Alfred the Great. Clerics certainly came to Oxford to learn in the 12th Century but it was probably in the 13th Century that Oxford became firmly established as a seat of learning.
Today, Oxford is a cosmopolitan town with a wonderful mix of the historic Dreaming Spires and a growing high tech community. There is plenty to see and do here with lots of excellent places to eat. Of course, being a university town, night life is up there with the best too.
Follow this link to Oxford High St for a great site that has quality photographs of all the shops and describes each building and its history. For more about the city in general, try this link to Oxford. And if you were really after Oxford St in London ...
